Firms Tell EC To Offer Carrots For Cartel Settlements

Law360, New York (January 24, 2008, 12:00 AM EST) -- The European Commission should consider offering members of alleged cartels softer penalties in exchange for settlements, a number of top law firms, bar associations and other advocates have told the regulator.

Dozens of comments submitted this month on the EC's draft notice of the conduct of settlement proceedings argued that companies would be more inclined to resolve investigations if the commission provided certain incentives for doing so.

“The settlement discount will need to be substantial, as settling parties will be waiving their right to important procedural...